Urgent Care FAQs

Should you go to the emergency room or to urgent care?

If you’re experiencing any of the following, go to urgent care:

• Fever
• Sinus infections
• Cold or flu symptoms
• Minor cuts, burns or skin rashes
• Animal/insect bites
• Sprains and strains
• School, sports, camp, and work physicals
• Workers’ compensation care
• Occupational medicine
• Ear and eye infections
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Minor injuries

If you’re experiencing any of the following, go to an emergency room:

• Chest pain
• Stroke
• Poisoning (if possible, first contact the local poison control center)
• Severe allergic reaction
• Serious trauma or injury
• Deep cuts or bleeding that won’t stop
• Large bone fractures
• Problems related to pregnancy
• Severe burns
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Abdominal pain

Can an urgent care center prescribe medication?

Urgent care facilities are able to prescribe medications, though not all facilities offer the same medications. It’s our job to ensure your health and safety, and we will do what we can to help you feel better.

Though you can be prescribed medication, it is unlikely that you will be prescribed long-term pain medication. It’s also unlikely that it will have a refill available. You will need to check with your primary care physician for refills.

What services do urgent care centers provide?

Most urgent care center primarily provide treatment of common, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Some common services provided by urgent care center employees include:

• Allergic reactions
• Asthma
• Cuts and burns
• Bug bites and animal bites
• Falls, sprains, strains, and broken bones
• Colds and flus
• Pink eye
• Ear infections
• Sinus pressure and sinus infections
• Bronchitis and strep throat